Gluten-Free Food Maker Breaks Ground In NJ

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ (CBS) - A gluten-free food maker based in Italy is building its first US plant, in Gloucester County.

Construction is underway at Schar USA's first American production facility, at the Pureland Industrial Park off of I-295 in Logan Township. Schar is Europe's top maker of gluten-free foods, and Schar USA president Donna George says the company's $15 million facility will be making foods for those with celiac disease.

"The only thing we'll produce here are the breads," George says. "All of our breads, our par baked rolls and baguettes and our pizza crusts will be made here.  Everything else we'll continue to import."

George says, with the help of the state Economic Development Authority, the company should open in the first quarter of next year.

"We found Gloucester County to be very supportive, as was the EDA and the people we worked with. And we're close to Philly and Baltimore and the ports we need to be in.  So it really made a lot of sense."

The facility is expected to create 50 new jobs.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060